What is "directorate-general"

Within the European Union, a directorate-general is a branch of an administration dedicated to a specific field of expertise.

• The European Commission: Commission Directorates-General are each headed by a director-general, who reports to the European Commissioner in charge of (i.e. politically responsible for) the corresponding policy area;
• The European Patent Office: EPO Directorates-General;
• The Secretariat of the European Parliament: Parliament Directorates-General.
• The General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union: Council Directorates-general.